In-depth research for our roundup took into account each dog harness’s durability, ease of use, value, fit and other factors, including arguably the most important one of all – the likelihood of your dog escaping from it.

Best in Show in terms of durability is Ruffwear’s hardwearing Web Master harness, which could well outlive your beloved pooch. As rugged as the terrain you and your furry friend will be exploring, it’s especially suited to active dogs and outdoorsy owners who take their pet hiking, climbing or running. Despite all the advantages of harnesses, some dogs still do better with a collar. In particular, if your dog loves to pull from the chest, or gets easily tangled in their lead, a flat collar may be just fine. But for many dogs, the right harness can make a world of difference!Having collated all that information, we then drew up a shortlist of the dog harnesses that were repeatedly mentioned, choosing only those that we thought were worthy of taking the titles in an array of interest categories. Why you should trust us

Durability and washability: We asked professional dog walkers for their opinions on how well these wear over time and whether they hold up after multiple washes. I really like the Ferplast Ergo harnesses for bigger dogs – soft chest plate, adjustable straps and easy to put on if you can get the dog to put one paw in. Great for our hounds.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user HeavensToTenby) You want one of the best dog collars that stop pulling that works well for your dog. For example, one of our dogs hates collars and is actively protesting if we ever try to confirm one. Nobby harness. You can get them on the internet and they are much more reasonably priced than many alternatives and utterly escape-proof. How they haven’t caught on, I don’t know.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Theoscargoesto)Pros: Padded, wide straps that won't chafe, can be worn all day, comes in 13 different colors and 5 sizes, easy to put on and take off, durable The adjustment straps around the harness’s belly and chest are padded to comfort and prevent wear and crushing.

The gentle leader by ‘Premier Pet Products’ is much like the Halti, gives you control of your dog by way of you steering their nose, and where their head goes, their body is sure to follow. We’ve got an Eagloo which works well - no escapes.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user singingstones)

Ease of use: There's less room for error if a harness is easy to put on and remove. A harness with more adjustment points will help you get the best fit for your dog.